Administrative Assistant Business Analyst

ARANZAZÚ RIVAS-VIDARTE

**** ***** *****, *********** ** 76034 “Proven Business Catalyst” **************@*****.*** 682-***-**** PROCUREMENT MANAGER ~ PROJECT MANAGER ~ SENIOR BUSINESS ANALYST Ultra-versatile, intelligent, multitalented, resourceful, and highly soft-skilled candidate. Active servant and leader in Procurement and Project Management with over 12 years of global experience in purchasing, supply chain management, logistics, transportation, customs compliance, and international business within the manufacturing, logistics, and retail industries. Lead technical process improvement projects, programs, and initiatives with finesse. Support executives by serving as a champion of change and a change agent, connecting the dots that others cannot see, identifying root causes, and solving emerging challenges, as evidenced by the many high-impact contributions detailed below.

Uniquely able to unlock hidden value, present plans to team members persuasively, achieve buy-in, set realistic milestones and goals, and meet or exceed monthly business objectives thanks to implementing an “all for one and one for all” workplace culture and utilizing a hands-on team leadership management style. Bilingual - Fluent in English (professional) and Spanish (native). Able to simplify complex technical concepts in plain English and serve as a liaison between the IT Staff and senior executive, business, and operations teams. STRENGTHS

Commodities Negotiation Leading Process Improvement Logistics, Warehouse & Transportation

Implementing ERP/TMS/CRM Systems Master Purchase Agreements Cost Reductions and Containments

Recruiting, Interviewing & Hiring Streamlining Supply Chain Organizing, Prioritizing & Multitasking

Increasing Efficiency & Productivity Cross-Functional Collaboration Workplace Safety & Accident Prevention

Improving Processes/Workflow MRO; Shipping & Receiving Post Integration ERP/CRM Training

Sourcing Suppliers Cash Flow Improvement Implementing RFID Systems

Leading Customs Compliance Writing Proposals and SOP Directing Corrective Action Plans

Risk Management/Reducing Risks Presenting to C-Level Execs Post Integration End-to-End QC Testing

Root Cause Analysis & Identification Cost-Benefit & ROI Analysis Quantitative & Qualitative Analysis RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

CEO Executive Assistant, US CARGO LINK /AKAL TRANSPORTATION LLC, Grapevine, TX Oct. 2024 – Present Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the project leader will implement several technology improvements to streamline the recruiting, hiring, and onboarding of new drivers, ensuring compliance with CTPAT, TSA, DOT, and US Customs regulations. Preparing monthly operational KPIs reports to drive business decisions. Responsible for MRO procurement.

Supply Chain Improvement Leader, PARKER PRODUCTS INC., Fort Worth, TX Jan. 2024 – Sept. 2024 Reported directly to the Chief Operating Officer and managed diverse technical & continuous improvement projects to transform operations, efficiency, and productivity as a Business Analyst. Managed project budgets, supervised a team of 25 professionals (including four leaders, my assistant, and 20 operators), and executed numerous ad-hoc projects as assigned. In collaboration with the Plant Controller, I led the development and implementation of improvements to the warehouse receiving process, streamlining the accounts payable process. Originally hired to implement a new ERP, the new company owner unfortunately canceled the project. ARANZAZÚ RIVAS-VIDARTE ~ MOBILE: 682-***-**** ~ PAGE II Manager Project Management Office, MEGAMEX FOODS – AVOMEX INTERNATIONAL, Dallas, TX Jan. 2023 – Jan. 2024 Project Manager for the Business Central (BC) implementation, explicitly migrating from a legacy system to BC. Supported and reported directly to the Chief Financial Officer, managed a $500K annual budget for consulting services and travel expenses, directed seven direct reports and 11 indirect reports, and was fully accountable for the production of the first shift. Oversaw dozens of continuous improvement projects and developed standard operating procedures for all new processes, including cost of production and cost of goods mapping, warehouse receiving, procurement, quality, and inventory consumption and replenishment, with a focus on enhancing the speed and accuracy of financial information.

CFO Executive Assistant/Business Analyst, FAMSA, Dallas, TX Jan. 2022 – Dec. 2022 Reported directly to the Chief Financial Officer and supported the CFO’s diverse projects, including technical initiatives focused on business intelligence, business analysis, identifying underperforming business locations, and eliminating redundancy. Implemented the procurement module of the Storis CRM system and Amazon Business to manage Maintenance, Repair, and Operation (MRO) activities, resulting in significant improvements in cash flow. The cash flow improvements achieved were instrumental in strengthening the business plan presented to the private equity firm that purchased FAMSA Inc.

Procurement and Supply Chain Manager, KASAI NORTH AMERICA, Leon, Mexico Feb. 2020 – Dec. 2021 Reported directly to the COO, controlled an annual budget of $7.0M, supervised ten direct reports and four indirect reports in the warehouse, and resolved any/all supply chain, logistics, customs compliance, and transportation issues.

Led procurement activities for over 150 commodity vendors and MROs across North America, reducing payment terms from an average of 60 days to 93 days. Improved cash flow, working closely with finance, developed and implemented a private hedge scheme to stabilize market fluctuations and isolate the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

To strengthen the compliance framework, I implemented software to streamline vendor contract approval, which included a log of expiration dates and the flexibility to attach supporting documentation. On the logistics side, I designed and launched a platform to manage Requests for Proposals (RFP) and bids from a pool of carrier and forwarder companies. This tool helped maintain a mechanism to track transportation market prices and supported finance with certainty of the current and forecast transportation costs. I was awarded the CEO/President Award for the results of the system I developed and implemented to automate MRO requisitions, purchase orders, and inventory levels. Procurement Manager, MARELLI NORTH AMERICA (formerly CALSONIC KANSEI), Shelbyville, TN Jan. 2009 – Feb. 2020

Develop and maintain the procurement processes to support IATF and OEM audits. Implemented a new vendor evaluation process that improves supplier performance and reduces quality issues. Managed purchasing operations for key production materials, achieving annual cost savings of $10 million through effective contract negotiations. Assisted in the implementation, cost-benefit analysis, and quantitative and qualitative analyses to support the introduction of technology, including an ERP system, a satellite system, and business process improvements. Managed a $20M annual budget, which supported yearly revenues of $ 2.5 B. Led the business process mapping and moving of purchasing and logistics processes from the US to a shared service center in Mexico. Led the preparation and presentation of monthly global KPIs related to the development and implementation of Cost Reduction, Cost Containment/Avoidance, and Market Fluctuation strategies. ARANZAZÚ RIVAS-VIDARTE ~ MOBILE: 682-***-**** ~ PAGE IIi BUSINESS ANALYST & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT LEADERSHIP ACHIEVEMENTS Installed and implemented the Oracle NetSuite ERP system, walked through the readiness process, performed end-to-end QC testing, and made necessary adjustments and refinements to ensure accuracy. The project was completed on time and within budget. The employer had no prior ERP system or executive dashboard for tracking enterprise KPIs, which were previously done manually. The projected operational efficiency and productivity gain after completion is 50%, with estimated payroll savings of approximately $120K per year for Global Gourmet Food Solutions (GGFS).

Utilized Microsoft® Office tools to create a system for tracking all expiration dates of MegaMex products. Previously was disposing of $150,000-$300,000 worth of expired food products, but has since recovered those losses, resulting in a significant profit and loss (P&L) turnaround. Developed a more effective strategy and implemented an enhanced system for receiving and shipping fresh food products. Enhanced the truck fill rate and LDL for inbound and outbound tractor-trailers. Reduced truck driver detention expenses and lowered delivery costs. Results: Annual savings of $ 100,000, or $ 500,000 over the next five years.

Served as a leader and contributor to the installation and implementation of a modern ERP system project, transitioning MegaMex Foods from BPCS to Business Central and JF Floor. Results: Improved overall productivity and efficiency by approximately 33%, resulting in a monthly U.S. payroll savings of tens of thousands of dollars (a 20% reduction). The project was completed on time and within budget. Led the enterprise relaunch of an updated Storis ERP system project, which was completed on time and within budget.

Eliminated all double-paid invoices in AP/Treasury by utilizing a new module for the existing ERP system. Reduced payroll by five FTE salaries, saving the employer $400K annually. Previously, FAMSA was losing $ 150,000 per month due to duplicate invoices and the time-consuming effort of reconciliation. The total savings amounted to $2.0M per year. FAMSA had petty cash for all 70 branch locations of personal loan offices, but eliminated it and implemented supply purchases via Amazon Business. This saved $70K per year and eliminated more than $25K in waste, fraud, and abuse.

Contributed to the CFO’s efforts to attract a major new investor or help the firm go private. FAMSA was previously public on the Mexican stock exchange and went private within six months through a private equity firm at a much higher than anticipated price.

Played a key leadership role in the team effort to define technical requirements, shop for, select, customize, purchase, and implement a new LX/LN ERP system for Kasai NA Inc. from 2019 to 2020, replacing an obsolete ERP system. An investment of $12M was made, with licenses purchased in the U.S. The ERP system, developed in Mexico and incorporating a shared service center, was deployed in 11 facilities across both Mexico and the U.S. Results: The system saved $ 800,000 on import taxes and $50 million in carrying costs in the first year, while increasing efficiency by 20%. Following full implementation, the executive dashboard enhanced executive decision-making, leading to a 33% overall efficiency gain. Established a shared service center in Mexico that encompassed procurement, sales, new product launch, finance, logistics, and customs compliance, resulting in annual payroll savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars for the employer.

ARANZAZÚ RIVAS-VIDARTE ~ MOBILE: 682-***-**** ~ PAGE IV Contributed significantly to our impressive record of 95% on-time and within-budget completions while leading diverse CAPEX and enterprise-wide projects, including supply chain operations, NAFTA compliance, and financial and accounting leadership throughout my career, despite facing challenges from continually changing regulations affecting multiple facilities across various regulatory bodies from different governments. Project management results include approved change order requests arising from client changes, new regulations, or unforeseen issues.

Identified that meals, banking, purchasing necessities like cold medicine, and traffic were frequent causes of lost productivity. Enhanced employee morale and loyalty in various ways, including the establishment of an internal convenience store and a cafeteria offering sandwiches, prepared food, candy, and direct bill payments. Results: Our plant achieved the #1 ranking for sales revenues compared to five other facilities in the company, outperforming the #2 ranked facility by 10%.

Successfully completed several major software system installations and integration projects on time and within budget, including the deployment of BPCS, IFS, and SAP ERP systems in 2018. Directed the installation of IFS and ISC for Marelli Mexico, United States & Brazil

Served as a key leadership contributor to the Marelli Shared Service Center Project, which successfully transitioned the purchasing function from the U.S. to Mexico, resulting in a reduction of labor costs from

$70/hour to $40/hour. On the payables side, led the consolidation of a regional accounts payable department, eliminating AP functions in the U.S. and Brazil, and reducing the hourly rate from $28 to $14 per hour. The team processed 18,000 transactions per month, focusing on this activity, down from a former FTE headcount of over 100. Total annual savings exceeded $200,000 in payroll due to this shift. Streamlined the month-end closing process from 30 days of effort to three days, and improved the year-end closing process from 40 working days to just three days in 2009, following the installation of the new ERP system. This resulted in savings of over $ 100k in payroll annually, while enhancing accuracy, productivity, and efficiency.

Received all the data from HQ in Japan and identified a new method to track market fluctuations in commodity prices for steel, aluminum, and plastic polymers. Accountable for the region, which includes the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil, I completed the report in just three days, while a peer administering the Asia and EU region took two weeks to complete a similar report.

EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, LANGUAGE & TECHNICAL SKILLS Bachelor in Economics (# 4244772), Universidad, Autónoma de Aguascalientes (UAA), Aguascalientes, Mexico 2004 Business Analyst, Quantitative Analysis & Continuous Improvement Training/Mentorship, CFO, FAMSA Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) Certification, Homeland Security, Oct. 2024 Ascend Transportation Management System Training, US Cargo Link LLC, Grapevine, TX 2024 International Business Experience in: Japan, Latin America, China, India, Pakistan, US, EU, Canada & Slovakia Trainer, Supply Chain, Logistics, Transportation, Customs & Warehouse Operations, multiple employers Internal Audit Training, ISO-TS16949 – IATF 16949, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) The Seven Habits for Highly Effective People Training, Marelli Mexicana fka Calsonic Kasei Finance for Nonfinancial Professionals, Marelli Mexicana fka Calsonic Kasei

“The Art of War” Negotiation Training, Marelli Mexicana fka Calsonic Kasei Credit Risk Analyst Training, Credi-Nissan, Marelli Mexicana fka Calsonic Kasei Great Place to Work – Inspirational Leader Training, Marelli Mexicana fka Calsonic Kasei ARANZAZÚ RIVAS-VIDARTE ~ MOBILE: 682-***-**** ~ PAGE V CLAUGTO’s Purchasing Committee Training, Kasai Mexicana Technical Skills: Microsoft® Windows OS 7, 10 & 11, Microsoft® Office 365, Power BI, Visio, Project, Access, Teams, Minitab, CRM Systems, Monday, Zoom, Google Translate, Contract Pod Ai, Cognos, IBM Genic, Google Meeting, Google Suite; Transportation Management Systems such as: Ascend, DAT, Tenstreet, and HireRight. ERP Systems: IFS, BPCS, Oracle MS Max, LX, SAP, and Storis.

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